WWE star Darren Young: 'I'm gay'

WWE wrestler Darren Young's coming out makes him the first openly gay professional wrestler.

Story highlights

Darren Young made the revelation in an impromptu interview on TMZ late Wednesday

"I'm gay. And I'm happy," he said when asked whether a gay wrestler could succeed in WWE

WWE says it is "proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality"

Young was expected to participate in an anti-bullying event in Los Angeles on Thursday

WWE superstar wrestler Darren Young publicly came out as gay during an unplanned interview with the news entertainment website TMZ late Wednesday.

He is the first openly gay wrestler in the organization -- which is the premier professional wrestling company -- according to a tweet by WWE Executive Vice President Stephanie McMahon.

Young made the statement while at an airport baggage carrousel in Los Angeles after being asked if "a gay wrestler could be successful within the WWE."

"Absolutely. Look at me. Ya know. I'm a WWE superstar and to be honest with you, I'll tell you right now, I'm gay. And I'm happy. I'm very happy," Young said in response to the question.

The revelation, which is not thought to be part of the wrestler's onscreen character, apparently caught the cameraman off guard. He stumbled over his response.

Photos: Openly gay athletes 25 photos

Photos: Openly gay athletes25 photos

Openly gay athletes – Swimmer Ian Thorpe, seen here in 2004 with one of his five Olympic gold medals, told an Australian news outlet that he is gay in an interview that aired on Sunday, July 13. Click through to see other openly gay athletes.

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Photos: Openly gay athletes25 photos

Openly gay athletes – Former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam told ESPN and The New York Times that he is gay on February 9. Sam later became the first openly gay player to be drafted by a NFL team when he was taken by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round.

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Photos: Openly gay athletes25 photos

Openly gay athletes – Robbie Rogers became the first openly gay male athlete to play in a professional American sporting match when he took the field for Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy during a match against the Seattle Sounders on May 26.

"I don't think it matters. Does it matter? Does it matter to you?...Does it change what you think about me?" Young rhetorically asked after making the statement.

"Not an iota," TMZ's cameraman said. "In fact I commend you even more that you would share something so beautiful and personal with me."

"We're all adults. All sports are physical. When I come to work, I come to work," Young said. "Business is business."

He added, "Some people might not like it, and some people will like it.

When contacted by CNN for comment, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., said, "[The] WWE is proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality, and we will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar."

On Thursday, Young was expected to participate in an anti-bullying event in Los Angeles "to teach children how to create positive environments for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation," WWE added in its statement.

While Young's public disclosure made headlines, he is not the first wrestler to come out. In a posthumously released 2011 book, WWE and WCW star Chris Kanyon wrote about being both a gay man and pro wrestler. He committed suicide in April 2010 after battling with mental illness.